I am of the belief that everyone wants to give their children the healthiest possible start to their life. Yet where obesity is concerned, this does not appear to be true. I have become acquainted with a single mother with three kids, all of whom are obese, morbidly obese. In this household, temperance in the type of foods or the volume of foods consumed is not exercised. In defense of this practice the mother mentioned that she would never deny her kids food as she was denied when young.

Obviously, this mother does not see, nor presently wishes to understand, the complications of morbid obesity. Allow me to clarify that in my opinion there is very little, if any, positive benefit to being overweight or obese.

The above story brings up an interesting point. While we can agree that the children’s state of obesity was a result of overeating, did the food alone lead to obesity, or was there a genetic predisposition? Was the genetic predisposition nurtured by their lifestyle?

Glad you asked. Research recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine seems to support both sides. Certain individuals may have the genetic susceptibility to obesity, but the expression of the genes can be affected by lifestyle. In other words, the food we eat can enhance or limit the expression of the obesity genes.

This was shown to be the case with consuming sugar containing foods. Individuals with the obesity gene gained weight more than those with the gene who did not partake of food containing sugars. Non-sugar sweetened food lead to less weight gain. I believe this simply put the burden on parents to make healthy food and lifestyle choices for their children.

It is a fact that genetic factors play a large role in weight loss or gain. But where obesity is concerned, heritability is not destiny. Moderate intervention can promote as much weight reduction as any pharmaceutical agent; thus the need for health education including the four food groups of vegetables, (fruits, legumes, nuts, and grains) and exercise. It is not enough to tell parents what they can or cannot do. We must be brave to tell the truth about foods and educate parents to a healthier lifestyle.

In the CHIP program we do not encourage participants to exercise to lose weight. I believe this could be nearsighted. We encourage and educate individuals to exercise as a part of their comprehensive health plan, and in due time a good health program will lead to a healthy individual with reasonable if not ideal body weight.

In other words, weight loss without a focus on losing weight. A review of the metabolic process by Carrol and Dudderfield showed that regardless of body weight or weight loss, improved health is one of the many positive consequences of exercise. Until we meet again my friends, keep walking!

Dr. Innis is a practicing anesthesiologist and leader of the Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) in Conroe. For more information on this program visit conroechip.com.